India working on counter-terrorism software
Monday, 17 July 2006, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: India is considering making more effective use of technology in countering terrorism, including plans for innovative software that could make public places safer, Minister of Science and Technology Kapil Sibal said. The plans were still being evolved and some roadmap was to be worked out by next week, Sibal said. "We have had some meetings with a software company for using technology to counter terrorism. We need technology as human intervention alone will not suffice when we look at the huge number of vulnerable areas," said Sibal. He said preliminary meetings with scientists and experts had revealed that software and technology were available to be deployed to make sensitive and vulnerable places like airports and railways more secure. This could be done through installation of still cameras and recreation of virtual space or use of live cameras in places like airports and train coaches. "The ministry is going to take the lead and we are going to soon come out with a well organized program to combat terrorism," the minister said. Creation of a national databank on manufacture, recovery and other aspects of RDX and upgrading the DNA and forensic technology available in the country are some of the areas that would be focused on after discussions with the scientific advisor to the prime minister, he said. Sibal said India currently has very few trained experts in the area of DNA technology that is vital to decipher clues after a terrorist attack. Once the combat program has been prepared, the ministry plans to offer it to the railway and civil aviation ministries and other organizations within the country for beefing up security and better preparedness.
Source: IANS
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